European Media Law
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at offering a general overview of EU law. More precisely, the objective is to provide the students with the necessary tools for a full understanding of the complex mechanisms that govern its functioning. The program will cover the following topics: the European integration process; the structure, objectives and fundamental values of the European Union; the institutional framework, the sources of law, the impact on national legal orders; the EU citizenship and then the freedom of expression and information (art. 11, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union) and the regulation of commercial communications by the regulated professions (art. 24, Directive 2006/123/EC).
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course student will be able to: understand the institutional framework of the EU, demonstrate a deep knowledge of the legal terminology related to EU law, understand the constitutional and legal framework of the EU and the way it interacts with national legal systems, be familiar with the main areas of substantive law of the EU (in particular the freedom of expression and information and the freedom of carry out commercial communications), solve a basic problem question using case law and relevant EU legal sources.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The program will be divided into two parts: the first dedicated to the European institutions, the second to the right of communication and advertising in European Union. The program is summarized below:
- The historical evolution of the European integration process: from the European Coal and Steel Community to the Treaties of Rome, the Single European Act, the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties of Amsterdam and Nice, the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, the Treaty of Lisbon.
- The "constitutional" principles of the European Union: the division of competences between the EU and the Member States; European citizenship; the protection of fundamental human rights.
- The institutional framework of the European Union with particular reference to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the Commission.
- The sources and the decision-making process in the EU legal system.
- The Court of Justice of the European Union: competences.
- Freedoms of expression and information in EU law.
- The right of advertising in the EU internal market in relation to the economic freedoms of movement.
- The main EU regulations and directives on communication and advertising.
- The relationship between digital communication and the right to protection of personal data.
- The relationship between digital communication and copyright and image rights.
- The difficult balance between protection of competition and protection of the online user.
- The EU Regulation on artificial intelligence, implications on communication issues.
- The historical evolution of the European integration process: from the European Coal and Steel Community to the Treaties of Rome, the Single European Act, the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties of Amsterdam and Nice, the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, the Treaty of Lisbon.
- The "constitutional" principles of the European Union: the division of competences between the EU and the Member States; European citizenship; the protection of fundamental human rights.
- The institutional framework of the European Union with particular reference to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the Commission.
- The sources and the decision-making process in the EU legal system.
- The Court of Justice of the European Union: competences.
- Freedoms of expression and information in EU law.
- The right of advertising in the EU internal market in relation to the economic freedoms of movement.
- The main EU regulations and directives on communication and advertising.
- The relationship between digital communication and the right to protection of personal data.
- The relationship between digital communication and copyright and image rights.
- The difficult balance between protection of competition and protection of the online user.
- The EU Regulation on artificial intelligence, implications on communication issues.
Prerequisites for admission
Refer to the prerequisites specified in the curriculum vitae.
Teaching methods
The course will be held with face-to-face lectures. Particular attention will be paid, especially in the second part of the course, to the topic of communication in the European Union, to the analysis of some cases addressed by the Court of Justice of the Union and to in-depth studies in workshops proposed to students. The most relevant sentences and practical cases will be made available to students through Ariel portal and will be commented on in class.
Teaching Resources
For non-attending students:
for the first part of the program, one of the two texts chosen from the following:
1) U. Villani, Institutions of European Union Law, Cacucci Editore, Bari, seventh edition:
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V (paragraphs 1-14)
Chapter VI (paragraphs 4-6)
Chapter VII (paragraphs 1-4; 9-14)
Chapter VIII (paragraphs 1-13; 15; 17-20)
Chapter IX
2) U. Draetta, F. Bestagno, A. Santini, Elements of European Union Law, Giuffrè Francis Lefebvre, Milan, eighth edition:
Chapter I
Chapter II (paragraphs 10-19)
Chapter III (paragraphs 21-26)
Chapter IV (paragraphs 30-30.2; 33)
Chapter V (paragraphs 35-37.3; 39-39.6)
Chapter VI (paragraphs 40-40.4; 41-42.2)
Chapter VII (paragraphs 43-46)
For the second part of the course dedicated to freedom of information and communication and the right of publicity in the European Union legal system, the specific bibliography and teaching materials will be published on the Ariel page of the course, which is also accessible to non-attending students. The main rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union will also be published, as well as the main rules addressed and some optional in-depth texts.
For attending students:
for the first and second part of the course, the handouts and slides presented in class by the teacher and published on the Ariel portal; it should be noted that the study of the texts indicated for non-attending students is not required.
For the second part of the program, the main rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union will also be published on Ariel, as well as the rules addressed and some optional in-depth texts.
for the first part of the program, one of the two texts chosen from the following:
1) U. Villani, Institutions of European Union Law, Cacucci Editore, Bari, seventh edition:
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V (paragraphs 1-14)
Chapter VI (paragraphs 4-6)
Chapter VII (paragraphs 1-4; 9-14)
Chapter VIII (paragraphs 1-13; 15; 17-20)
Chapter IX
2) U. Draetta, F. Bestagno, A. Santini, Elements of European Union Law, Giuffrè Francis Lefebvre, Milan, eighth edition:
Chapter I
Chapter II (paragraphs 10-19)
Chapter III (paragraphs 21-26)
Chapter IV (paragraphs 30-30.2; 33)
Chapter V (paragraphs 35-37.3; 39-39.6)
Chapter VI (paragraphs 40-40.4; 41-42.2)
Chapter VII (paragraphs 43-46)
For the second part of the course dedicated to freedom of information and communication and the right of publicity in the European Union legal system, the specific bibliography and teaching materials will be published on the Ariel page of the course, which is also accessible to non-attending students. The main rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union will also be published, as well as the main rules addressed and some optional in-depth texts.
For attending students:
for the first and second part of the course, the handouts and slides presented in class by the teacher and published on the Ariel portal; it should be noted that the study of the texts indicated for non-attending students is not required.
For the second part of the program, the main rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union will also be published on Ariel, as well as the rules addressed and some optional in-depth texts.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is in written form (1h 30 min) and is aimed at ascertaining knowledge of the main concepts of the European Union legal system and the right to communication, as well as the ability to grasp the implications of the most relevant institutions of the European legal system, with particular attention to the application of the material law of the European Union and its relations with national and European legislation in the context of the regulation of economic activities, the protection of freedom of expression and information.
The student will have to answer three open questions, arguing the answers exhaustively and demonstrating mastery of the key concepts of the European Union legal system, with specific reference to the right to communication and advertising, in order to highlight the practical implications and critical aspects. The student may have, to support the exam, the sources of European Union law, not commented.
The student will have to answer three open questions, arguing the answers exhaustively and demonstrating mastery of the key concepts of the European Union legal system, with specific reference to the right to communication and advertising, in order to highlight the practical implications and critical aspects. The student may have, to support the exam, the sources of European Union law, not commented.
IUS/14 - EUROPEAN UNION LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Migliorati Giuliana
Professor(s)
Reception:
thursday 3/4 p.m.